Governor for elastic turbines.



J. WILKINSON. GOVERNOR FOR ELASTIG TURBINES. APPLIUATION FILED DB0. 22, 1902.

9 l 5,7 1 5 i Patented Mar. 16, 1909.'

3 BHEETSf-SHEBT 1.

PatentedMar. 16, 1909. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J WILKINSDN GOVERNOR FOR BLASTIG TURBINBS. r APPLICATION FILED DBG. 22, 1902. r @i 5,716.,

Hlllll lfllllfllllllllln J. WILKINSON.

GOVERNOR FOR BLASTIC T URBINBS. APPLIUATION FILED DEO. 22, 1902.

1 5,716, Patented ar. 16, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED sTATEs .PATENT oEEIoE.

JAMES WILKINSON,OF BIRMINGHIAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 THE 'WILKINSON STEAM 'TURBINE COMPANY., A CORPORATIQN OF ALABAMA.

Specification of!V Letters Patent. Application led December 22, 1902. Serial No. 136,229.

GOVERNOR FOB ELASTC TURBINES.

Patented March 16, 19Q9.

To all whom 'it may concer-n:

D Be it known that I, JAMES WILKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Birmingham, in the county yofyJefferson and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Governors for -Elastic Turbines, .of which thepfollowing is a specification.-

My mvention relates to an improved regu-V lation for elastic fluid turbines in which a fluid, to vary its periods of flow, effecting.

an intermittent cut ofi" ouf the supply and driving the rotating element by means of intermittent blasts of fluid which deliver a mean power proportioned to the load.

According to my invention, as illustrated in its simplest form the elastic fluid is admitted to the turbine supply nozzle in pulsations or blasts by means of an oscillating valve, which is controlled in its movementsv by a governing mechanism, sensitive to the speed. of rotation of the turbine shaft, and

designed to maintain a constant speed of ro-I tation of the shaft under varying conditions of l'oad, by governing the periods of rest at each end of the valves stroke. By this means, I admit -to the noLzl'e impulses or blasts, uniform in volumebecaus thevalve opens fully each time it is oscillated, but varying in mass because the period, during which the valve is maintained thus fully opened, is regulated according to the load. These impulses of uniform volume are transformed in the nozzle into blasts of uniform velocity at the point of delivery from the nozzle, so that the efliciency of the turbine is controlled by a regulation of the mass of `elastic fluid admitted, without altering its volumeor the velocity at which it impinges against the vanes ofthe rotor. Any desired lmeans may be utilized to effect this intermittent cut 0H action of' the nozzle valve, such means acting either to actuate the valve directly or through the instrumentality of relay power means. Also within the scope of my invention the nozzle and-valve may be of any desired construction and may be duplicated or multiplied in lthe same machine.

In the vaccompanying drawings I show several illustrative forms of valve controlling mechanism, .one utilizing electro-magnets .to both open and close the valve under the control ofv a speed governor a second utilizing a spring and magnet to move-the valve; and a t irdl showing the direct application of power from a governor shifted cam to a valve to intermittently and fully open it for varying intervals. I 1

As a further development of my basic idea of a pulsatory non-throttling control of the motor fluid sup ly to the turbine, I have adapted one of tige forms of valve controlling mechanism described above to Ve`ect a part constant and part pulsatory control of the liuid supply. In other words, I may elect, instead of passing the fluid through a sin le or subdivided or even a plurality of n ozz es 'and intermittently cutting off the whole supply under less thanfull load conditions,

-universal control-over the supply.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating to vary this supply by successively opening my invention ;-Fi ure 1, is a side view of a turbine, partly bro ren away and in section, showing my improved governing mechanism, employing two electro-magnets to effect and control the oscillation of the valve. Fig. 2, shows the contact plates on the governor collar :removed therefrom and unrolled to more clearly illustratetheir construction and arrangement. Fig. 3, is a modification of the governing mechanism, wherein a coiled spring is substituted for one of the electromagnets. Fig. 4, is a plan-view of the curved surface of the governor collar, broken away along a vertical line and unrolled. Fig. 5, illustrates a further method of oscillating and governing the valve by mechanical, instead' of electro-magnetic means. Fig. 6, is a de. tail viewof the cam shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7,

iso

is a diagrammatic view to illustrate the action of the valve throughout the range of travel of theA governor collar. Fig. S, illustrates the application of my invention to a turbine'having a plurality of induction nozzles, which, for convenience, is shown in plan While the shaft and governing devices are broken away and shown lin elevation, with the proper electrical connections to the nozzles of the turbine.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the drawings.

The rotor 1, with peripheral concave-con veX vanes 2, is rigidly fixed to the main turbine shaft 3 vertically dis osed and suitably mounted in the frame wit bearings 4 and 5. The casing 6 of the rotor has an induction nozzle 7 mounted on its upper side, near the periphery thereof, and provided with an eX- pansion passage 8 of increasing area toward its discharge end, so disposed that it delivers the elastic Huid at an acute angleagainst the vanes '2. Fluid pressure from any suitable source of supply is conducted to an inlet passage 9, from which it enters the expansion passage 8 through a jet 10, and, after being irected against the rotating vanes", is eX- hausted through a port 11, either to the open air or to `a condenser.

The construction of the turbine which may be simple or compound with a plurality of rotating rows of vanes and stationary intermediates, and the design and o eration of the nozzle and other parts is othe usual character and therefore forms no essential part of my present invention, which relates more specifically, to the devices hereinafter described for producing and regulating a pulsatory feedof the elastic fluid.

The fiuidpressure is admitted in impulses or blasts by means of an oscillatory cut off valve 12, with its forward end reduced to seat tightly against and close the supply end 10 of the nozzle, and having at its other end an enlarged circular head 13, which serves as an armature and is alternately attracted by the electro magnets 14 and 15, between which it moves. Their coils are energized from a battery 16, and wound around the cores 17 of the recessed casings 18 and 19, suitably insulated 4from each other by a sleeve 20, of brass or other non-magnetic material, having'a screw threaded engagement with the casings whereby a cylinder is formed in which the armature 13 oscillates freely. The core 17, of the casing 18, and thesleeve 21 integral therewith, have a central opening through which the valve stem passes. This sleeve is externally screw threaded for engagement within the recessed opening for the valve in the wall 22 of the inlet passage 9 opposite the sup ly end 10 of the nozzle. This Wall is thiclfened and enlarged here to form a guide for the valve I provide packing rings 23, for the valve, which are retained in position by the sleeve 21 acting as a gland.

l regulate the oscillation of the valve by a centrifugal governing device, mounted on the shaft 3, and comprising a governor 24 and a governor controller-device which, as shown in the drawings, is a collar 25, that revolves with the shaft and is shifted endwise upon it by the action of the governor weights through the connecting arms 24:1. Upon the surface of this collar and suitably insulated therefrom, are two tapered contact plates 26 and 27, which run to a point .at one end and at the other nearly encircle the collar. They are similarly shaped and inversely placed on the collar, as will appear by reference to Fig. 2, and have a strip of insulation 28 between their abuttingl edges, so that they form a two-part sleeve withtapering lines of insulation passing in opposite directions from a point on the lower edge of the collar to a diainetrically opposite point on the upper edgethereof.

The plate 27 is machine grounded by wire 29, and a collector ring 30, fixed to the shaft 3 from which it'is suitably insulated, is electrically connected to plate 26, by a wire 31. The battery 16 has one pole connected to a stationary contact brush 32 engaging the collar 25, the other pole having a split circuit, one side leading through magnet coil 15, `machine ground and wire 29 to plate 27, the other side leading through magnet coil 14, brush 33 in circuit therewith and engaging the collector ring 30, and wire 31 to plate 26. When brush 32 engages contact plate 27, the electro-magnet 15 will be placed in circuit with the battery and energized, while the magnet 14 is not in circuit which is broken at plate 26, therefore the armature 13 is attracted to magnet 15 carrying with it the valve 12 and opening the jct 10, so that pressure is admitted to the4 nozzle 7 from the passage 9. On the other hand, when brush 32 engages contact plate 26, as shown in the drawing, the circuit will be through magnet 14, which will attract the armature and seat the valve.

As the rotor revolves, driven by the fluid pressure delivered against its vanes from the nozzle, the collar 25 and its governing mechanism will turn with the shaft 3, and brush 32 will alternately eng-age the contact plates 26 and 27 causingthe battery to energize the magnets 14 and 15 in turn. It is therefore evident that the valve, through its armature 13, Will be moved back and forth between these magnets once during each complete revolution of the governing device, alternately opening and closing the nozzle 10 and admitting theretoV impulses or blasts of fluid pressure.

Since the valve is designed to open fully stem, extending inwardly toward the nozzle. l each time its armature is attracted by the f .15 respectively as the valve cl coll vtery will energize the val crease in duratonrelatively to-the load, but

e delivered against the rotor at an uniform of the impulses, the upper horizontal lines 35,

enters thejet,

be ydelivered at an uniorm velocity against the rotor. I "o maintain a constant speed of rotation of the turbine shaft under varying conditions of load, 'the periods of rest of t e valve at In Fig. 5 a governor controlled elongated each end of f cone 38 oscillates the valve against the action I of a coiled spring 40, which normally maintains it in an open position. The cam shaft 41 is mechanically driven by the main tun bine shaft 3, and Regarding 14 and osing'and open- 1ng magnets, it is evident thatthe periods of- Th rest and ilow of the elastic Huid governedby t e movements of the valve t eV governor, the stem will uring a 'revolution orc cle orm oscillatory travel, being held in its anism. If the tur me igh speed under a light will raise the collar 25 until brush 32 remains, during the greater portion of each revolution, in contact with the plate 26, hence the bat- -ve closin for periods between which blasts o mum duration only will be admitted. Under l bine provided with a series of ay heavy load, the action is reversed'and as the l zl ar is lowered by t e governor, the brush remains in contact with t e plate 27 during increasing ortions of each revolution, so that the va ve opening magnet is energized until, magnet will be continuously energlzed and the valve held Thus the impulses in` oint of engagement'hetween llVithin the scope of my invention `the governor may beD called upon part relatively tothe other.

Fig. 8 shows my invention applied to a turto adjust either vary th trolled collar 25, by elongating itsuliciently 46, to be so spaced that but one of time shall engage the tapering end tact plate 27, the other brushes remaining continuously in engagement with eitherthe insulated base 47, orthe plate27 above its taper. The battery l rush 48 is arranged to continuously engage the contact plate 27. usas shown in' the drawing, the brushes 43 and tinuously open, controlled thereby toregulate the turbine, and brush 46 maintains its ously closed. y t esemeans itis evident the perlods of fluid pressure activity during that I secure a combined regulation of con` wh yis open, and the lower hori. stant and pulsatory blasts, for, as the g zontal lines 36 the periods of inactivity ofthe C u1 pressure during which the valve is closed. The y revolution of the governing 'mechanism with relation to th on a horizontal line m`x below the d n ig. 3 I s for oscillating the valve by means of one electro-magnet 1'5, as in Fig. 1, which accts agalnst a coiled spring 37, seated inl a recess t erefor in the core 17, to open-the-val've. power and the load b ere the collector ring 30, is dispensedwith 1power, then two constant blasts will furnish brushes 32 and 33 both engage the gov-. -40 -h of the consince their volume and the proportions ofthe expansion passage 8 are unvarying, they will In Fig. '7, a diagram'illustrates the action of the valve throughout the range of travel of t e governor'collar, the height of lthe `vertical llnes 34 denoting volume and velocity I .ernor control-of the oscillatory blast.

for t evarious contact brushes 43, 44, 45 and orsepower andl the governing mechan-v ted OHJI ers th b l he e De@ j PUIS ur 16 7 121011 qlljrelssa'ry 15a ylloatlo Of t] 16 ea 1 h h ZZle t l() S611 Ch S 1101111 *Se p0 hat ists 1f/ fie "7 am alOIlS accordi'n lllOVfla C0lll WltllOUf) affecting their velocityg iiidtdlfofod ary limon/y nil als urinary, .Sm/ng a aaai aan by an an,

f bridge over from one stated point to another 5. ln an elastic fluid turbine, a nozzle in during variations in load. The governor 49 which the pressure of the fluid is converted 75 is constructed so that it can shift the eloninto velocity by expansion, means to open gated collar 25 and bring each of the brushes and close said nozzle, and a governing dein turn in engagement with the taper of plate vice periodically actuating said means an 27, when the turbine is acting under loads opening said nozzle for periods varying with varying from a maximum to a minimum. the load. so At full load, the mechanism may be so ar- L6. VIn an elastic fluid turbine having a conl ranged that it holds all the nozzles permal stant supply of motive fluid under a full load,

nently open, and, when the load is oil, pera nozzle, and governor controlled means manently closed. The collar has, therefore, having uniform movements at varying inuniversal stationary operating positions tervals to interrupt the flow of fluid through 85 throughout its range of' travel, for at every said nozzle when the load decreases, in compoint it will regulate the admission of presbination with a rotatable bucket element sure in exactproportion to the load, conseadapted tobe driven by said fluid. quently it will have no dead points in its '7.- In an elastic fluid turbine having acontravel where it is not directly controlling the stant supply of motive fluid under full load, 90 quantity of fluid admitted. The collar is a nozzle, a valve having intermittent uniadapted to move continuously in one direc form opening movements to pulsate the fluid tion during a gradually increasing load, and supply to said nozzle when theload decreases,

' continuously in the opposite direction during and means to control the movements of said a slowly decreasing load, whereas the tendvalve in accordance withV the load, incom- 95 ency of other governing mechanisms is to bination with a rotatable .bucket element move with varying rates of speed progression adapted to be driven by said fluid.

or with a step by step advance with the load. 8. ln an elastic fluid turbine, an induction The advantages secured by a regulation of nozzle, a valve therefor, and means to interthe character described are too obvious to remit-tently actuate said valve to fully open 100 quire further emphasis. and close said nozzle for all intermediate If desired the governing mechanism may load conditions and pulsate a fluid supply. be mounted on a counter shaft .and rotated without varying its velocity, in combination by suitable speed reducing gearing driven with a rotatable bucket element adapted to from the main shaft 3 of the turbine. By be driven by said fluid.

this means the action of the valve can be 9. In an elastic fluid turbine an induction morel accurately regulated. l also desire to nozzle, an oscillatory valve admitting to said reserve the right of substituting a solenoid, nozzle fluid pressure in pulsations of' uniwhich moves the valve stemA as its core, form volume and means to control the movefor the electro-magnet and its armature as ments of said valve, in combination with a 110 shown in the drawings. lf' it is desired to rotatable bucket element adapted to be provide the turbine with two or more rows of driven by said fluid. peripheral vanes, then the pressure of the 10. In an elastic lluid turbine an induction elastic fluid should b e only partly converted nozzle, an oscillating valve admitting fluid into velocity in the nozzle. pressure in pulsations of uniform volume to 11,5

Having thus described my invention, what said nozzle, and means to regulate the turl claim as new, and desire to secure by bine b r governing the periods of' rest at each Letters Patent, is 1-d end of the valves stroke according to the 1. An elastic fluid turbine having a roload, in combination with arotatablc bucket tating element and a pulsating supply of element adapted to be driven by said fluid. 120 motive fluid delivered at uniform velocity' 1l. In an elastic fluid turbine a nozzle and thereto, in combination with an impulse conl electro magnetic means to vary the periods trolling regulating mechanism. of flow of the motor fluid supplied to said 2. ln an elastic fluid turbine, means to nozzle without aflccting said fluids velocity.

pulsate the fluid supply so as to materially l 12. ln an. elastic fluid turbine a nozzle, an 125 vary its volume without affecting its velocelectrically oscillated valve having only ity, and a governor controlling said means. opened and closed operating positions, and

3. In an elastic fluid turbine, an induction means sensitive to variations in thc turnozzle means to vary the periods of flow of' bines load to control the movements of the motive fluid through said nozzle While said valve. 13o

sismo 13. The combination with' an elastic fluid turbine, of a nozzle, an oscillating valve adv mitting impulses of fluid ressure at an-uniform volume to said nozz e, a governor, and' electro-magnetic means controlled thereby to govern the periods of rest at each end of the valves stroke.

14. The combination of an elastic fluid turbine, a nozzle, an oscillating valve admittlng impulses of fluid pressure at an uniform volume to said nozzle, a governor, and electro-magnetic means controlled thereby to oscillate said valve and govern the periods of rest and flow of theelastic fluid according to the load, substantially as set forth.

v to open said valve fully once during each cycle of action of the governing mechanism and maintain it open for a period `of time varying` according to the load, substantially as set forth.

.16. The combination with an elastic fluid turbine, of an induction nozzle, an oscillating valve admitting impulses'of fluid pressure at an uniform volume to said nozzle, a governor and. electro-magnetic means 'controlled thereby for governing the periods of rest and flow of the elastic fluid according to the load, comprising two electro-magnets between Which the valveIstem oscillates as an armature, a battery and circuit connections to said magnets Which are alternately broken and closed by the governor, substantially as set forth.

17. A regulating mechanism for turbines having a pulsatory feed of elastic fluid, comprismg a valve, electro-magnets to `oscillate said valve, a source of electrical energy and circuit connections therefrom through stationary brushes and governor-shifted tapering contact plates, whereby each magnet is alternately energized during each revolution of the governor, remaining in circuitl for a period Which will vary the duration of the impulses according to the load, substantially as set forth.

18. A regulating mechanism for turbines having a pulsatory feed of elastic fluid, comprlsmg a speed controlled governor, an oscilatm valve, a battery, an electro-magnet su1ta ly energized thereby and adapted to attract said valve to o en it, means whereby the circuit is closed t ough said magnet a portion of each revolution of theV governing mechanism varying according-to the load,v

and means to seat said valve when the circuit is broken, substantially. as set forth.

19. A regulating mechanism for turbines having a pulsatory feed of elastic fluid, comnet which attracts said valve as an armature to open it, a battery and circuit connections therefrom to said magnet through stationary brushes, a governor, a controller device revolving with said governor and vertically shifted thereby, a tapering contact plate mounted on said controller device Which engages said brushes once each revolution closing the circuit to said magnet and opening the valve to admit impulses of fluid pressure, which vary in duration according to the relative position of said controller de vice to said brushes, and means to seat said valve When the vcircuit isbroken, substan- -tially as set forth.

' 20. In an elastic fluid turbine, a governing or regulating mechanism adapted to admit contem oraneously constant and pulsatory' blasts o elastic fluid, which are proportioned to the load and used to develop mechanicalv power.

' 21. In an elastic fluid turbine having nozzle passages and valves therefor, a governing mechanism comprising a governor, means for operating said valves and a controller device moved by said governor, which actuates part of said valve operating means intermittently according to slight variations in the load.

22. In an elastic fluid turbine, a governing mechanism for controlling the admission of fluid pressure to a lurality of nozzles comprising means for a mitti'ng constant supply of fluid according to the load and a pulsatory supply varying in proportion to slight variations in the load.

. 23. In an elastic fluid turbine, a governing mechanism for controlling the admission of fluid pressure to a plurality of nozzles comprising means for admitting blasts uniform in volume to said nozzles and meansA to maintain a part of them open according to the load and part pulsatory according to slight variations in the load.

24. In anelastic fluid turbine, a plurality of nozzle passages, valves controlling the ad,-

mission of pressure thereto, and a governing .mechanism which oscillates a part of said valves to admit pulsations of fluid pressure which vary in duration with variations in pl'ising an oscillating valve, an electro-magl operating means which act responsive thereto to hold said valve or valves fully open for gradually varying portions of each cycle of action of said mechanism. y

27. In an elastic fluid turbine, a plurality of nozzles, a valve in each nozzle, a speed governor, and electro-magnetic means controlled thereby for oscillating a part of said valves and maintaining the rest open or closed according to the load.

28. In an elastic liuid turbine, a plurality of nozzles, valves for said nozzles, and speed governing mechanism for sweeping said valves open or closed as the load is thrown on or ofi, and for oscillating a part of said valves during a constant or slowly changing load.

29. In an elastic fluid turbine an induction nozzle, and a governing. mechanism comprising a governor, means having only an open and closed position controlling the admission of iiuid to said nozzle, and a governor shifted rotating controller device for said means.

30.. In an elastic iluid turbine, a rotating member, stationary iiuid supply passages, governor controlled valves controlling the admission of fluid pressure to said passages, and a governing mechanism that changes the position of its valve controller device proportionally and synchronously with all variations oi load. I 31. In an elastic luid turbine, a plurality of induction nozzles, means to open and close said nozzles, and a regulating mechanism maintaining a continuouscontrol over all said means and intermittently actuating a part of them.

32. In an elastic fluid turbine, a valve controlled induction nozzle, and a governing mechanism comprising a controller device, means actuating said device -in continuous cycles of action, and means to aetuate said valve with an uniform travel which are' therefor, with electric operating means for the valves, and a contact device capable of simultaneously energizing all the valve opening means at full load, and means for automatically actuating said contact device to intermittently energize each valve opening means in turn before cutting it out ol circuit as the load decreases.

36. In a-governing system, the combina tion of a turbine wheel, a nozzle admitting pressure thereto, a governor controlled valve for said nozzle, and. a controller device which has a continuous tapering controller portion and which imparts to said valve full oiening and closing movements to vary t ie total volume olY lluid delivered to said wheel without ai''ecting its velocity.

37. In a governing system, the combination of a turbine wheel, a plurality of nozzles admitting pressure thereto, a governor controlled valve for eachnozzle, and a tapered rotating controller device shifted by said governor and adapted yto oscillate said valves, to fully open and close said nozzles.

38. In a governing mechanism for turbines, a plurality of valve controlled iluid admission passages, valve operating means, and a governing device ier controlling said means which moves in accordance with variations in the load and intermittently operates a part of said means while maintaining the rest passively under control.

39. In a governing mechanism for an elastic iluid turbine, a speed governor, a valve controller device, a -valve adapted to be actuated through the instrumentality oi' .said device and given movements of uniform travel at time intervals variable with the load.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES `VVILKINSON- Witnesses:

R. D. JOHNSTON, R. D. JOHNSTON, Jr. 

